Health and school districts stand fast against COVID

POMEROY–The Garfield County Public Health District has planned a virtual ZOOM Community Town Hall meeting, in partnership with the Garfield County Hospital District (GCHD) and Pomeroy School District on Wednesday, November 4 at 4 p.m.

Martha Lanman, Garfield County Public Health Administrator, issued an advisory stating positive COVID-19 cases have increased by 10 of which five of the 10 cases are unrelated indicating possible community spread.

Lanman asks citizens to stay home and stay close for the next couple of weeks and always continue to follow COVID-19 safety practices of distancing at least six feet, wear a mask, wash your hands often and especially stay home if you feel sick.

Rachel Gwinn, School District Superintendent stated all is well at the school so far. She said in order for in-person learning to continue, the staff and students are doing their part by following a strict regimen of cleaning, mask wearing and social distancing.

"Things are going well at school and it has been great to be teaching and learning with our students again," Said Gwinn. The school has been diligent in the cleaning and sanitizing of our buildings, social-distancing, and wearing masks. This has allowed us to remain teaching in-person. I have been collaborating with the health district daily to ensure that we are safe to continue learning in our buildings.

Gwinn considers the school environment very safe because they are using every precaution available to them to ensure students and staff are safe.

"Having our students at school is a very safe environment, as we can ensure students and staff are wearing mask, washing hands and social-distancing," Gwinn continues.

Presently, some young people have been quarantined as a precaution, but have not tested positive for COIVID.

"At this time, we have not been informed that any student has tested positive," said Gwinn. "We have had students that have had to quarantine at the recommendation of the health department due to exposure outside of school. We have had one staff member test positive for COVID-19. Individuals identified as a close contact to this individual were notified and asked to quarantine, none of which were students. The Garfield County Health District is doing a tremendous job contact tracing and keeping not only the school informed, but the community as well."

The community is encouraged to join Lanman, Jayd Keener, co-CEO of GCHD, and Gwinn for a discussion on what preventive steps can be taken to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and to answer questions. To join the scheduled Community Townhall ZOOM meeting, find the link at co.garfield.wa.us/public-health.